By Staff Reporter
KATIMA MULILO
Holcim Namibia continued its financial support for the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) when it recently made a donation of N$60 000 to the organization involved in constructing low-cost housing units for the poor.
The north-eastern Caprivi Region is one of the regions with an increasingly high housing backlog and where informal settlements such as Chotto, Piggery, Makaravan and Dairy proliferate, with the barest of basic amenities and social infrastructure.
And against this backdrop the local SDFN took it upon itself to tackle head-on the region’s pressing housing needs. Since January this year, 25 houses have been built and a further 40 units are under construction. The construction is being done by members of the community themselves under the guidance of a qualified builder.
Speaking at the occasion, John Likando said housing is an important aspect of development and that it gives a certain attraction to potential investors. It also gives a sense of safety from dangers like fires, housebreaking and floods.
He commended the work being done by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, particularly the Zambezi Savings Group, in alleviating poverty. He indicated that lack of affordable housing is one of the main problems people are experiencing, not only in Caprivi Region but also in the whole of Namibia.
With urban migration still on the increase, housing needs are increasing.
People tend to leave the rural areas for urban areas to look for greener pastures, and even when they do not find work, they still stay on in the hope of finding work some day. Because they are jobless and have nowhere to stay, they end up constructing shacks in the informal settlements so they can have a place to come home to.
He said the SDFN has the full support of the town and regional councils in ensuring that proper planning is done in terms of setting up infrastructure.
The town council would ensure that they give them land at affordable prices.
Likando applauded Holcim Namibia for taking the initiative of making a contribution to the community in Caprivi. He welcomed Holcim Namibia to the region and also mentioned that he hoped that through their corporate social responsibility programme they would look at investing in other developmental projects in the region.
Holcim Namibia country manager, Johan Burger, said the company has every hope that this humble donation would go a long way towards making a difference to the livelihood of the members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia in the Caprivi Region. The donation would go towards the construction of houses for members and a centre or an office for the SDFN being planned at the town.
He said the mission statement of the company includes understanding the needs of society and communities in areas where the company does its business and to make meaningful and sustainable contributions towards their upliftment.
Last week’s donation was received by the team leader of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia in the Caprivi Region, Dorothy Ziezo.
Local councillors and other stakeholders attended the event.